Saturday, November 10, 2012

Harris Hawk Bites Off Jack Russell's Tongue

A HORRIFIED dog owner has told how a hawk attacked his Jack Russell and ripped out its tongue.

Ian Farquhar, 47, was walking Ollie when the female Harris hawk swooped. It clamped its talons on the dog’s head before going for its tongue.

The four-year-old may now have to be put down because it will have to be hand-fed.

Gardener Ian said: “Ollie was screaming and I was crying. I was covered in blood.

“The bird grabbed on to his head and you could see its beak in Ollie’s mouth. It was yanking at the tongue.”

The hawk’s owner Colin Kirk ran over and got the bird off Ollie. He drove Ian and his dog to the vet.

But Ian added: “The vet said Ollie will never be the same again. He had to get a lump in his mouth sewed to stop him choking and half his tonsils taken out. I don’t know what his quality of life will be. I might have to have him put down.

Farquhar has asked that the hawk be destroyed, and the owner has agreed.

I suspect the problem in the U.K. is that they do not have the same falconry apprenticeship programs that we have (and are required) in the U.S. Anyone can buy a hawk, eagle, or owl in the U.K., without any training or apprenticeship at all. The only requirement is that the bird be captive-bred..

3 comments:

Why exactly does the hawk need to be destroyed? It's a crazy story, and devastating for the poor dog, but the owner of the hawk should be heavily fined for not controlling his bird and it's just too easy to donate the hawk to a bird rescue where she can live in a large enclosure and provide educational benefit to the public.

What a tragedy for poor Ollie. I cannot imagine the fear and pain. Prayers that he can live a comfortable life of some sort. I agree the hawk should not be put down, but the owner should be held criminally and financially responsible for Ollie's costs.